The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-02-12


snowy darkness. "Drcaming ! I
shall wake up presently with my
toes and linger-ends frozen stiff
But it's an uncommonly jolly dream
anyhow, and I'll enjoy it while l
can. What is this delicious smell?
1t can't be coffee and toasted johnny
cake, it p? People don't smell coffee
and johnny-cake in dreams, that l
ever heard Of
Just then voice broke the thread
of his reflections.
"How nice the coffee was 1t
was just like you, Rhoda, to think
of bringing it"
ooh, well !" another sweet voice
responded "Ive been out here be-
fore in u snow-storm. Somebody
must go, you know, and Aleck is in
Concord, and fathers rheumatism is
worse than usual tonight. And
Ted, the farm-boy, is always afraid
Of Silver Peak when it SHOWS No
thing would induce him to come"
"But weren't you afraid, Rhoda p
ZIP" echoed the lark-sweet tone.
"Wasn't | born here?"
"My words exactly" thought our
hero. 81 should like to come out
upon the scene and ask for taste
of that Arabian draught, but might
frighten these mountair-fairies away
if were to be too precipitate. I'll
be patient and bide my time"
"And," went on pretty Rhoda
Eastwood, 81 knew it was possible
we might be detained here all night
so | brought the matches along, and
the candles and the pail of coffee"
"Iellow thought Mr.. Everly.
"Here's a pretty kettle of fish
must come out sooner or later.
They're going to stay here all
night"
"Rhoda ?" whispered a soft little
voice
"Well, Nannie?" was the sweet
answer.
Aren't you afraid now ~
afraid you goose What
should l be afraid OFF" merrily re-
torted the farmers daughter.
"I-don't-know," slowly answer
ed Mamie. "Only its so lone
some"
"Therc are the calves, you know,
laughed Rhoda.
"Humphm said Mr.. Everly to
himself.
"And it's st. Valentines Eve"
added Mamie.
"Wcll," said Rhoda, what OF
that ?"
"They're going to have a dance
up at Sqire Everly's," said Mamie.
"Well, and how does that con-
cern Il, ?"
81 should like to have gone" said
Mamie, clasping her knees after a
mcditative fashion. 81 never was at
Il Valentine party. What does it
mean, Rhoda, anyway ?"
"Oh, / don't know y said Rhoda,
hinging fresh pine cones ON the fire.
There's any old saying, believe,
that the first man you see on
st. Valentines morning is your true
love for the rest of the year"
"And no longer?" in accents OF
disappointment.
How do | know" laughed
Rhoda
81 never was at a Valentines par
ty, either ~
81 wonder whom we shall meet
going down the mountain to-mor-
row ?' said Mamie, after brief sill
ence.
CAS- if it wasn't all nonsense y
said Rhoda.
How pretty she looked as she sat
there, with the flashing red rehec-
tions dancing on her raven hair and
mirrorcd in her liquid brown eyes
But one must talk nonsense
sometimes" pleaded Mamie, 1--WE
have got to pass away the time some
how. If we 60 to sleep, and let the
fire go down, we shall be frozen tc
death. oh, good gracious! whats
that?'
Some slight, unconscious move
ment on the part of their hidden au
ditor had frightened the calves; ther,
was sudden plunge and outcry il
their midst. Edgar perceived tina
his ambuscade was no longer posi-
BILE he emerged boldly into tn
light.
wLadies -" said he.
"lt's man p screamed Mamie
"Oh, oh, we shall be robbed an,
murdered Oh, oh !"
. And she clung desperately t
Rhoda Eastwood.
II hrn II thnnsnnl nnrdnnls an